The best resorts in Greece for a beach holiday
It is difficult to choose the best beach in Greece. Which beach is best for families with children? Where is the best place to swim? Which beach is best for parties? Which beach is best for scuba diving?
Everyone has their own criteria for an ideal beach. Add to this the fact that many Greek islands have 20 or more beaches, how can you avoid making a mistake with your choice? I will help you.
First you need to get a visa. It is better to entrust the issuance of a visa to Greece to a company providing visa services.
This will relieve you of unnecessary hassle and simplify the process of getting ready for your long-awaited vacation.
19 of the best and most beautiful beaches in Greece
Elafonisos - sandy beach on the island of Crete
Perissa Beach, Santorini
Long and wide beach with crystal clear azure water. There are many inexpensive restaurants (taverns) near the beach where you can eat delicious food. Be careful, on this beach the bottom disappears very quickly, closer to the smaller rocks. The sand here is black, so, again, towels, swimsuits, everything can get stained, rent sun loungers, fortunately, they are inexpensive here - 5 euros per day. Don’t wear light-colored shoes either, even though there are paths all along the beach, walking barefoot on black sand is very hot.
Plaka Beach, Naxos
The island of Naxos in Greece has many wonderful beaches. And if you are a beach lover, then you will like this island. Well, the best beach in Naxos is Plaka. A regular bus runs here from Naxos town every half hour. It is usually not crowded here, the sand is fine, smooth and beautiful, the water is clean and azure. If you move a little away from the “civilized” beach with sun loungers and taverns, you can strip naked and no one will see you.
Logaras Beach, Paros
Paros is one of my favorite islands. There are many beautiful beaches, such as Pounda and Piso Livadi, but they are very popular and there are always crowds of people. I like a more secluded holiday, so I chose Logaras. It is perfectly protected from waves and wind by a rock, so you can swim here calmly.
Paradise Beach, Mykonos
This beach is hardly suitable for a family holiday; it is primarily intended for young people. It's always fun here and there are a lot of representatives of sexual minorities. After 15-16 hours on Paradise, the music is turned on and the party begins. At night, parties take place here and famous DJs come here. Fancy Ibiza? Here's something similar. The beach itself is very good, coarse sand, beautiful water.
Ornos Beach, Mykonos
The most family friendly beach in Mykonos. Located just 10 minutes drive from the city. There is an excellent entrance to the water and beautiful sand. A quiet closed bay will reliably protect you from the wind, and this is an important point when choosing a beach in Greece. Ornos is crowded due to the proximity of the beach to the city and the entire space is filled with sun loungers, so if you like to lie on the sand for free, this is not your beach, it will be difficult to find a free place here.
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
Very beautiful beach with white pebbles. To be in Kefalonia and not see Myrtos is a serious crime. But with swimming everything is a little more complicated. The entry into the water is deep, it is better not to go here with children. Well, without special shoes it’s quite painful to go into the sea because of the pebbles.
Paleokastritsa Beach, Corfu
Another beautiful beach in Greece. It is small and cozy. There are many taverns with delicious food and you can take boat tours of the local caves.
Price statistics for tours to Greece
If you are not yet ready to travel on your own, then price statistics for tours to Greece will help you. Here you can find the lowest prices for holidays to Greece from leading tour operators.
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
To be honest, this is not really a beach in the generally accepted sense of the word, rather a small sea pool. The landscape here is fantastic, white stones of bizarre shapes and emerald water between them. It's easy to get here by bus from Adamas. Be sure to visit the caves located next to the beach, they are very beautiful.
Stafylos Beach, Skopelos
This beach has fantastically clear and clean water. Very beautiful view, but difficult descent from the mountain. The beach is not equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas; you need to take everything with you. There are no trees nearby, which means there is no shade. You rarely see tourists here, but there are many locals. If you go a little further and climb over a small hill, there will be a nudist beach. The sea bottom is pebbly and there are many fish. But it's great for diving here.
Kamares Beach, Sifnos
Sifnos is a very calm island with many beaches and Kamares is one of the best. This beach is great for families with children; there are many taverns and hotels nearby.
Koukounaries Beach, Skiathos
A golden beach in every sense. Here the golden sand and Koukounaries are truly beautiful. I advise you to arrive early, before 11, to grab all the best sun loungers. Lots of beach taverns, lots of water sports equipment. The entry into the sea is shallow, making it a great place to relax with children. There are pine trees around and the smell of pine needles is very tasty. There are a lot of vacationers.
St. Pauls Bay, Rhodes
Small cozy bay. There are no waves here and it is very pleasant to swim. There are 2 beaches in the bay itself, the one on the left is smaller and prettier. The bay is very beautiful and picturesque; it is also good for diving.
Matala Beach, Crete
Matala has quite a hippie atmosphere. The beach is large and beautiful, even when there are a lot of people, there is always a place here. You can sunbathe, explore nearby caves, swim underwater with a mask, looking at beautiful fish, and eat delicious food. The beach is pebbly and the caves are open until 19:00, entrance costs 2 euros.
Shipwreck Beach, Navagio Bay, Zakynthos
There are always a lot of people here, so it is better to come in the morning or evening. The beach is incredibly beautiful, you don’t want to leave here. It is better not to come with children, the water is cold compared to other beaches, strong currents and big waves. The bottom is pebbly, there are many beautiful caves around, there is a place to swim, and you can feed the fish underwater near the rocks. Find out the weather in Greece in advance; the best periods are considered to be from May to June and from September to October.
Vai Beach, Crete
Beautiful beach, shower, toilet, changing room - everything is standard. There is a nice palm grove nearby. The entrance to the water is rocky and deep. Vai Beach itself is relatively far away; you have to take a serpentine road to get there, but the atmosphere here is very pleasant. The sea is calm and warm. Not very crowded.
Vouliagmeni Beach, Athens
Athens also has good beaches. The water is clean, the bottom is beautiful, the service is at a high level, but you will also have to pay a lot, 18 euros, and not for the whole day, if you decide to leave the beach and then return again, you pay again. Showers and toilets are free here.
Greece- a state in southeastern Europe, occupying the south of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece also owns numerous islands in the Ionian and Aegean seas, including Crete. The mainland of Greece is washed by seas on three sides, the coastline is heavily indented and has a length of 4,100 km (including the islands - about 15,000 km). The area of Greece is 132 thousand square meters. km, including islands - 25 thousand square meters. km. In the north the country borders with Albania, Macedonia and, in the east with. The southern shores are washed by the Mediterranean Sea, the western by the Ionian and the eastern by the Aegean.
The coasts of peninsular Greece mostly end with steep cliffs towards the sea, but in some places the mountains retreat inland, and small flat areas form there. The largest and most important of the Greek islands (area 8.3 thousand sq. km), stretching 250 km in length and up to 58 km in width. Its mountains, reaching a height of 2456 m (Mount Ida), are composed mainly of massive limestones and are similar to the mountains of mainland Greece. One of the most populated islands of the Aegean Sea is located near the southwestern coast of Turkey.
Amazing nature makes Greece an interesting and unique resort. The sun shines here almost all year round. The local population there is sociable and friendly. Shallow bays seem to be specially created for swimming. Greece is an open-air museum. Probably nowhere else can you find such a number of ancient monuments, which are located almost at every turn: majestic temples and theaters, ancient columns and castles. The country is also famous for its resorts. , Crete, Rhodes - these islands are buried in the thick of cypress groves and washed by a wonderful azure sea.
Climate of Greece Mediterranean. Summers are hot, winters are warm and humid. The hottest months are July and August. The resorts tolerate the heat more easily due to the proximity of the sea.
Capital Greece— . The official language of the state is Greek.
Flight to Greece It takes very little time, no more than an hour and a half.
Beaches of Greece
The best resorts in Greece They welcome vacationers all year round; the beach season opens in April and ends in October. Figuring out exactly where to go is not so easy - there are too many offers designed for a wide variety of guests. These are cities with a rich historical past, and the ruins of ancient Athens and Sparta, and islands with golden sandy beaches. So, which Greek resorts are ideal for a beach holiday?
The best places in Greece for a beach holiday
Crete
Crete- the largest and insanely popular among tourists. Located in the south, it is famous for its sandy and pebble beaches, an abundance of attractions and a high level of service. There are not only popular places here, but also places where you can immediately forget about civilization. Those who want to be alone with nature should visit the beaches in Balos Bay, which can only be reached by ship - here you can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery. You can soak up the pink sand on the most popular beach of Crete - Elafonisi. Crete offers beach resorts of various types, for every taste, which attracts a large number of tourists every year.
Corfu Island
Considered one of the most beautiful islands in the entire Mediterranean Corfu, surrounded by greenery. It is also one of the elite resorts - the most expensive hotels in Greece are concentrated here. Sandy beaches with golden sand, azure sea, rich underwater world, olive and cypress groves, numerous green forests and citrus orchards. All this will not leave any tourist indifferent.
The resorts of the peninsula are ideal for a quiet family holiday. Halkidiki with green pine forests, white sandy beaches, excellent service and a variety of entertainment - for both adults and children. The island is considered one of the most environmentally friendly tourist centers, and its developed infrastructure creates all the conditions for a comfortable stay. The main resorts: Afitos, Kassandra, Kallithea, Hanioti, Pevkochori and many others never cease to amaze with their beauty.
It is considered one of the fashionable islands of Greece Mykonos, where celebrities often relax: artists, politicians, actors and singers. The island is also famous for its nudist beaches and a large number of entertainment venues. The most famous beaches are Paradise and SuperParadise. Mykonos is a great place for surfing; it is not without reason that it is called the island of the winds.
One of the five most beautiful islands in the world. The main thing it can boast of is its exotic beaches: Perissa and Kamari with black volcanic sand, Akrotiri with red sand. In addition, everywhere guests will find a developed infrastructure: a huge number of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and sports centers. Perivolos beach is the largest beach in Santorini, its length is about 3 km, here you can practice sea sports and then recuperate in cozy cafes and restaurants.
Sunny Rhodes- invariably enjoys enormous popularity compared to other Greek islands. Here you can organically combine a relaxing holiday on the Mediterranean coast on the east coast of the island and an active holiday in its western part on the Aegean coast. The island has good equipped beaches with a gentle entrance, so you can always find a great place to swim and sunbathe to your heart's content.
Speaking about the best resorts in Greece, one cannot fail to mention Athens Riviera. It unites several resorts located on the mainland near the center of Athens. For those who want to combine a beach holiday with sightseeing
Looking for information on the best places to holiday in Greece? We tell you everything about the country's resorts: where to go to Greece for a beach holiday, where the best excursions are, what places are inexpensive.
The first part of the article contains a selection of the best Greek resorts by type of holiday (beach, excursion, youth, with children, etc.). The second part of the article contains a detailed description of popular resorts with the pros and cons of holidays.
Holidays on the islands of Greece
According to reviews of many travelers, when going to Greece, they prefer to relax not at the mainland resorts of the country, but on the islands. This gives a better sense of local color, and the beaches on the island part are usually better and cleaner than on the mainland.
Islands of Greece for holidays - list of the best destinations:
- Rhodes
- Corfu
- Zakynthos
- Santorini
- Kefalonia
The island of Kos used to be popular, but recently many have complained about the large number of migrants there.
Photo: © Militaru Alin Cristian / flickr.com
Beach holiday
Most tourists choose islands in the south of Greece or the Halkidiki peninsula in the north of the country for a beach holiday.
The best resorts in Greece with sandy beaches, according to tourist reviews:
- The islands of Crete and Rhodes are the most popular destinations.
- The islands of Mykonos, Thassos, Corfu - in addition to relaxing on the beach, you can enjoy magnificent scenery.
- The Chalkidiki Peninsula is a good option to combine sightseeing and beach holidays.
Excursions and attractions
If you are traveling to Greece for a long time, it is convenient to stay in Athens: there are many attractions in the capital and its surroundings, and it is also easy to travel from there to other interesting places.
Another option for an excursion holiday is the Peloponnese peninsula, with ancient Greek cities (Olympia, Sparta, Mycenae with the preserved Lion Gate, Corinth and Epidaurus).
Popular excursions to the north of Athens are to Delphi and Meteora.
Advice: It is convenient to explore many attractions on your own if you rent a car. Conditions and tips are in our article Car rental in Greece.
Holidays with a child
For a comfortable holiday with children, it is better to choose a hotel with good infrastructure and a sandy beach. There are many suitable hotels on the islands of Crete and Rhodes.
Other Greek resorts with good sandy beaches and family hotels:
- Chalkidiki Peninsula
- Peloponnese Peninsula
- Corfu Island
Resorts for young people
Where to relax in Greece for young travelers? For youth recreation, it is better to go to the resorts of Hersonissos (Crete) and the island of Mykonos: there is a lot of active entertainment, parties and discos.
Mykonos is considered an elite resort; holidays there are expensive; in Hersonissos you can relax much cheaper.
In addition to these resorts, young people often choose other places: the Halkidiki peninsula, the islands of Zakynthos and Rhodes.
Best Resorts for Seniors
For a quiet and measured holiday, it is best to go to the resorts of Crete (especially Rethymno), Thessaloniki, and the island of Thassos.
There are good hotels on the Halkidiki peninsula - from there easy excursions to the historical parts of Greece are available. At the resort of Loutraki near Athens you can undergo treatment with mineral waters.
Photo: Fira at night © Nikola Totuhov / flickr.com
Crete
One of the most popular resorts in Greece is the island of Crete. There are good sandy beaches, beautiful nature, hotels of any category, many restaurants and entertainment. An excellent destination for those who are choosing where to go to Greece for the first time.
The main resorts of the island of Crete are Rethymno, Elounda, Chania, Hersonissos and Gouves.
Rethymno
Rethymnon is a resort for a quiet and relaxing holiday. There are many streets for romantic walks, sandy beaches, delicious food in cafes and restaurants. There are no parties or noise, and there is also no entertainment for children. Vacationers are mainly elderly tourists from Europe.
Most excursions are from Heraklion or Chania, so you will have to get to these cities first (about an hour away).
There are other resorts near Rethymnon - for example, Bali (good beaches) or Plakias (suitable for diving).
Elounda
The small resort is located in a bay, so the sea is always calm, without large waves. Elounda has good sandy beaches. There are hotels that operate on an all-inclusive basis. Suitable for families with children.
Chania
The Greek resort has many clean sandy beaches, but hotels are quite expensive. The city itself is beautiful (according to some tourists, it is the best on the island of Crete), it has many ancient buildings and attractions. The airport is nearby, making the resort easy to get to.
Hersonissos
One of the most youthful resorts in Crete is Hersonissos. The city has many bars, restaurants, discos - it is always noisy and fun. The beaches are sandy, prices for accommodation and food are low. Hersonissos – a suitable option for an inexpensive but good holiday in Greece.
If desired, you can easily reach Heraklion or the resort of Agion Nikolaos.
Photo: cafe in the village of Kalyves, Crete © VV Nincic / flickr.com
Halkidiki
The Chalkidiki peninsula is located in the northern part of Greece, where it is better to relax at the height of summer (July-August) - at this time the weather there is more comfortable than in other resort regions of the country.
Nearby is the airport of Thessaloniki, from where it is easy to reach most of the resorts of Halkidiki - Kallikratia, Kassandra and others.
Callicracy
Quiet resort, except for the center where the fur shops are located. The city beach is well suited for children: it is sandy, the entry into the water is gentle, there are umbrellas and sun loungers, and the sea is without strong waves. There are few attractions.
Cassandra
This Greek resort offers a family-friendly environment. Beaches with fine light sand, clean sea water, fresh air. Among the hotels, private hotels with a small territory and hospitable hosts predominate.
Photography: views of Halkidiki © AHT PHOTOGRAPH & PHOTOGRAPHER AGENCY / flickr.com
Rhodes
Where to go on vacation in Greece if you want to go to an island and you’ve already visited Crete?
The second most popular island resort in Greece after Crete is Rhodes. It is easy to get to - there is an airport and a seaport.
The island of Rhodes can be conditionally divided into 2 parts - eastern and western.
The eastern part is crowded, with hotels of all categories, restaurants, and entertainment. The sea there is a little warmer and calmer, but holiday prices are usually higher. The most popular beaches in the eastern part of Rhodes: Afandou, Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos.
The western part is quiet, with rocky shores and crystal clear sea. This side of Rhodes is washed by the Aegean Sea, which is considered windier and cooler than the Mediterranean. It is better to relax in the western part of the island in the high season (July and August) - the summer heat is more bearable there. Prices in the west are lower, it is easier to find inexpensive hotels or private accommodation.
Among the resorts in Greece there is something for everyone - whether you want privacy or dancing until you drop, meeting the fascinating world of mythical gods and antiquities, or active relaxation. After all, in Greece you can bask in the rays of the hot sun, enjoy the turquoise sea and white sandy beaches, stroll through picturesque places, go surfing, admire the unique architecture, attend exciting excursions, and, of course, plunge into the atmosphere of nightlife.
The most popular resorts in Greece
Which resort in Greece to choose
All resorts in Greece have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The southernmost resort is, therefore, it has the longest beach season. The northern part is washed by the cool Adriatic Sea, so swimming at the end of the season may be uncomfortable.
Other distinctive features are given in the comparative table of resorts in Greece:
Resort |
Peculiarities |
Beaches |
Type of holiday |
Prices |
The most popular Greek islands among Russian tourists. Tours to Crete and Rhodes are the best choice for your first trip to Greece. The widest selection of hotels to suit every taste. You can easily find an accommodation option on the first line. |
Extensive sandy beaches in the vicinity of Rethymno and Chania. Pebble beaches are found mainly in the south of the island. |
For beach and sightseeing holidays. There are resorts with developed nightlife. |
||
Pebble beaches predominate in the west, sandy beaches in the east. |
For beach and sightseeing holidays, suitable for families with children. |
|||
An island with a traditional slow way of life. Ideal for leisurely relaxation and cycling. Located near Turkish Bodrum - one of the centers of nightlife in Turkey. 4-5* hotels may be cheaper than in Crete. |
For a relaxing holiday, suitable for families with children. |
|||
A very green island with interesting Venetian architecture. Of the islands, it is the closest to the attractions of the mainland. |
Mostly pebble beaches. |
For a quiet, respectable holiday. |
||
Stunningly beautiful sunrises and sunsets, beaches with black and red sand. The most romantic and “photogenic” island. The island is famous for its Kiklet architecture - traditional white and blue houses. |
Sandy beaches with volcanic sand. |
For an excursion holiday with beach elements. There is practically no entertainment on the island. |
||
An excursion region rich in natural beauty. |
There are sandy and pebble beaches. |
For lovers of excursions, for a beach holiday. |
||
Peloponnese |
This region of Greece is interesting for its historical heritage. Hotels of famous Greek hotel chains are located here. The choice of beach hotels is small. Most resorts are located away from the airport. |
Wide sandy beaches. |
Excursion holidays, beach holidays with children. |
|
An island with a vibrant nightlife and trendy parties. |
Mostly sandy beaches. |
For the relaxation of discerning tourists. |
Tours to Greece
Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.
Crete
Rhodes
Corfu
Halkidiki
Santorini
Zakynthos
Kos
It is famous for its magnificent nature, cozy beaches, clean sea and conditions for windsurfing. From here you can go on excursions to the neighboring islands of Nisyros and Kalymnos. It is also the birthplace of the healer Asclepius, so don’t miss the opportunity to swim in the Empros Termi hot spring.